China's unsung wine heroes

Many people have had a hand in the rise of China’s wine scene. Jim Boyce identifies ten significant people who are too often overlooked.

Photo by Yang Shuo on Unsplash

Lists of China’s key wine people tend to repeat. You’ll often find mentioned Grace Vineyard owner Judy Chan, consultant Li Demei, Lu Yang MS, Fongyee Walker MW, Silver Heights’ winemaker Emma Gao and social media star Wang Shenghan (Lady Penguin). There are a few dozen other regulars, from critics, sommeliers and educators to winery owners to the heads of major producers and importers.

But crucial to the rise of China’s wine scene are thousands of unsung heroes who are much less known, especially on the global stage. Here are ten such people who play a wide range of roles and have gone above and beyond.